Introduction! A collection of recommended masterpieces and standard numbers for jazz beginners
We often hear people say things like, “Jazz feels a bit intimidating…” or “I don’t know where to start.” But did you know there are countless masterpieces you’ve probably heard at least once? The standard numbers you hear in movies, cafés, and TV commercials are perfect for getting into jazz.
In this article, we’ll introduce the charm of jazz through approachable songs that anyone can enjoy.
By the end, you’ll surely be captivated by jazz!
Playlist
| Introduction! A collection of recommended masterpieces and standard numbers for jazz beginners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Moanin’Art Blakey |  play_arrow | One of the legendary jazz drummers, Art Bla… |
| 2 | Waltz For DebbyBill Evans |  play_arrow | Dedicated to his beloved niece by Bill Evans... |
| 3 | Blue TrainJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | The blues, said to be the ultimate standard in jazz… |
| 4 | Round MidnightThelonious Monk |  play_arrow | The jazz master, Mr. Thelonious Monk, is... |
| 5 | SummertimeElla Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong |  play_arrow | Opera 'Porgy and Bess' ... |
| 6 | Fly Me to the MoonFrank Sinatra |  play_arrow | Longing for the vast cosmos and a love that blazes like fire... |
| 7 | What a Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong |  play_arrow | Jazz giant, Louis Armstro… |
| 8 | Giant StepsKenny Garrett |  play_arrow | It’s a live performance from the Montreux Jazz Festival… |
| 9 | All The Things You AreCharlie Parker |  play_arrow | Your very existence is the greatest thing to me... |
| 10 | Take FiveDave Brubeck, Paul Desmond |  play_arrow | A rare 5/4 tune among jazz standards... |
| 11 | A Night in TunisiaDizzy Gillespie |  play_arrow | Dizzy, known as the founder of bebop, … |
| 12 | My One and Only LoveJohn Coltrane & Johnny Hartman |  play_arrow | A deep, warm singing voice, with accompaniment that seems to gently embrace it... |
| 13 | It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)Duke Ellington |  play_arrow | "If it doesn't swing, it doesn't mean a thing," ... |
| 14 | The Girl From IpanemaStan Getz & Joao Gilberto |  play_arrow | The Girl from Ipanema, a masterpiece of jazz and bossa nova fusion |
| 15 | DjangoThe Modern Jazz Quartet |  play_arrow | The prodigiously talented guitarist who died young, Django Rein… |
| 16 | Infant EyesWayne Shorter |  play_arrow | As one of Wayne Shorter’s signature works, … |
| 17 | One O’Clock JumpCount Basie and his Orchestra |  play_arrow | The theme of the Count Basie Orchestra… |
| 18 | So WhatMiles Davis |  play_arrow | Trumpeter and composer “Miles …” |
| 19 | MistySarah Vaughan |  play_arrow | A mix of happiness and anxiety when falling in love… |
| 20 | My Funny ValentineChet Baker |  play_arrow | Affectionately known by the nickname “Prince of Cool,” ... |
| 21 | Goodbye Pork Pye HatCharles Mingus |  play_arrow | Included on the 1959 album 'Mingus Ah Um.' Mingus… |
| 22 | Night and DayStan Getz & Bill Evans |  play_arrow | Night And Day / Stan Ge... |
| 23 | Fire WaltzEric Dolphy |  play_arrow | ’61 “Eric Dolphy At T…” |
| 24 | Ponta de AreiaEsperanza Spalding |  play_arrow | From the 2008 album Esperanza. Bassist... |
| 25 | Forest FlowerCharles Lloyd |  play_arrow | From the 1967 album “Forest Flower.” Sa… |
| 26 | My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | In '61, “My Favorite Thin…” |
| 27 | Tell Me A Bedtime StoryQuincy Jones |  play_arrow | In '78, “Sounds And Stuff…” |
| 28 | Sleeping Dancer Sleep OnArt Blakey & The Jazz Messengers |  play_arrow | In ’66, “Like Someone In …” |
| 29 | I Get a Kick Out of YouDinah Washington |  play_arrow | The Broadway m... released in 1934 |
| 30 | StablematesBlue Mitchell |  play_arrow | From the 1973 release “Stablmates.” Beni… |
| 31 | Don’t Know WhyNorah Jones |  play_arrow | Norah Jones is not only jazz but also so... |
| 32 | Work SongCannonball Adderley Quintet |  play_arrow | Composed by Nat Adderley, and in 1960 it wa… |
| 33 | Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (2010 Remastered Version)THE PLATTERS |  play_arrow | Many wonderful jazz standards… |
| 34 | Duet Solo DancersCharles Mingus |  play_arrow | The uniquely individualistic bassist, Charles... |
| 35 | Whatever Possessed MeElvin Jones |  play_arrow | From “Familiar Ground,” … |
| 36 | Sala SmileMike Mainieri |  play_arrow | Included on the 1977 album “Love Play.” Hall… |
| 37 | You don’t know what love isSonny Rollins |  play_arrow | Recorded in ’56 on Saxophone Colossus. Co... |
| 38 | The Wine And RosesToots Thielemans |  play_arrow | Recorded in ’74. Toots Thielemans’s harmo… |
| 39 | Begin the BeguineArtie Shaw |  play_arrow | A famous jazz standard that will be passed down to future generations... |
| 40 | Someone to Watch Over MeBarbra Streisand |  play_arrow | In 1926, in the musical “Oh, Kay…” |
| 41 | I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody Like I’m Loving You)Benny Goodman |  play_arrow | Known as a leading figure of swing jazz… |
| 42 | Que sera seraDoris Day |  play_arrow | Hitchcock’s film released in 1956… |
| 43 | Fascinating RhythmFred Astaire |  play_arrow | In 1924, George Gershwin... |
| 44 | ButterflyHerbie Hancok |  play_arrow | From the 1974 album Thrust. Herbie's e... |
| 45 | CountdownJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | Known as a jazz standard, this piece is compo… |
| 46 | UnforgettableNatalie Cole |  play_arrow | This song was released by Natalie Cole... |
| 47 | Lonely WomanOrnette Coleman |  play_arrow | The jazz alto saxophone prodigy Ornette Co... |
| 48 | A Love Supreme, Pt. I – AcknowledgementJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | An American representative saxophonist, Ji... |
| 49 | Blue MoonMel Tormé |  play_arrow | Lyrics by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard… |
| 50 | Beauty and BeastWayne Shorter |  play_arrow | Recorded in 1974 and included on Native Dancer. U... |
| 51 | All of MeBillie Holiday |  play_arrow | Including amateurs, the Japanese jazz singer who is the most… |
| 52 | Body and SoulBillie Holiday |  play_arrow | Composed by Johnny Green in 1930... |
| 53 | Autumn LeavesCannonball Adderley |  play_arrow | This piece is known by its Japanese title “Kareha” (Fallen Leaves), and originally… |
| 54 | Take The A TrainDuke Ellington |  play_arrow | A legendary figure in the jazz world who was active in the 1960s... |
| 55 | A Sunday Kind Of LoveEtta James |  play_arrow | Jazz singer Etta James... |
| 56 | Blue BossaJoe Henderson |  play_arrow | Included on the 1963 album “Page One.” Trumpet… |
| 57 | I Got RhythmJudy Garland |  play_arrow | This piece is by George Gershwin... |
| 58 | My Back PagesKeith Jarrett |  play_arrow | Keith Jarrett released in 1969… |
| 59 | Hello, DollyLouis Armstrong |  play_arrow | Among American musicals from 1964… |
| 60 | NaimaMark Murphy |  play_arrow | Recorded in ’75: “Mark Murphy.” Mark… |
| 61 | (I Loveyou) for Sentimental ReasonsNat King Cole |  play_arrow | I’ve come to like you from a pure, genuine place… |
| 62 | Quizas Quizas QuizasNat King Cole |  play_arrow | Recorded in '58. Originally a song from the Latin American region, and… |
| 63 | I Put A Spell On YouNina Simone |  play_arrow | The legendary R&B singer of the ’50s, Scree... |
| 64 | MinuanoPat Metheny Group |  play_arrow | 1992 “Live Under The S… |
| 65 | They Can’t Take That Away from MeSarah Vaughan |  play_arrow | Composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira... |
| 66 | Angel Eyesjim hall |  play_arrow | ’75 “Jim Hall Live!” release… |
| 67 | Whacha See Is Whatcha GetJohn Scofield |  play_arrow | 2003 “Up All Night” rel… |
| 68 | StuffMiles Davis |  play_arrow | 1968 “Miles In The Sky…” |
| 69 | At LastEtta James |  play_arrow | Blues, soul, R&B, jazz singer… |
| 70 | Don’t Let Be Me Lonely TonightMichael Brecker |  play_arrow | Included on the 2001 release “Nearest of You.”… |
| 71 | Autumn LeavesChet Baker |  play_arrow | It has been covered by many jazz musicians… |
| 72 | Cleopatra’s DreamHank Jones |  play_arrow | The performance by the pianist Hank Jones… |
| 73 | DreamsvillePat Martino |  play_arrow | 1976 'We’ll Be Togethe…' |